By Scott Nickerson

Elmore Autauga News

Leading by 4 points at the start of the 3rd quarter, Marbury’s Jacob Driver and Jamar Brown combined to make four 3-point baskets to push the Bulldogs’ lead to double digits. The Lions fought their way back into the game and trailed 50-46 early in the 4th quarter when the Bulldogs defense stepped up and they went on a 7-0 run to put the game out of reach.

The Bulldogs defense faced a tough test against several talented scorers on Prattville’s roster, to include Xavier Dunn and Tanner Ehmen. “We wanted to really force them into odd tempos,” said Marbury Head Coach Will Turner. “Bouncing in and out of zone and man while trying to make them move at an uncomfortable pace. When you can force tempo on a team and it doesn’t line up with how they like to play basketball, you can create turnovers without getting an actual steal or transition. Anytime the ball came into the paint, all five of our defenders came down to defend.”

While Dunn and Ehmen got their points for Prattville, the Bulldogs’ high-energy defense resulted in numerous turnovers and contested shots in the paint. Ehmen, Prattville’s big man, made a big impact on the game with securing offensive rebounds and put backs, but the Bulldogs stout defense limited the overall impact.

“We had issues with their big man (Ehmen) at times, getting some offensive rebounds and put backs throughout the game, but he’s a skilled big and a strong rebounder so you have to tip your cap occasionally when a player makes a good play. Thankfully we didn’t give him a lot of and 1s plus we contested every shot he and his teammates took on those put backs,” said Coach Turner.

For the Lions, Dunn had 20 points in the tournament final, and Ehmen had 11 points and 21 rebounds.

For the Bulldogs, Brown scored 16 points and made the All-Tournament Team, along with Jeremy Baileynemard. Driver, who scored 18 points in the final, was named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament.

Winning the county tournament title on their home court is a big deal for the Marbury program, and coach, who is from the area. “It makes me extremely happy for this team, school, and community,” said Coach Turner. “Marbury is a special place. This team has bought in to what we’re trying to do here at Marbury. Winning the tournament is the climax of all that hard work. Defending our home floor is very important to us and we take it very seriously. Growing up around this area, I have childhood memories from this tournament so holding the championship trophy at the end was a bit surreal.”

In the tournament semi-finals, Prattville defeated Autaugaville 72-41, and Marbury defeated Prattville Christian Academy 73-54.

The Bulldogs will now turn their attention toward the second half of the season, where area games against Holtville and BTW-Magnet are coming up soon. The Bulldogs are hoping to win Class 5A Area 6 for the 4th straight season.